Penny Liberty, The First African American Encyclopedia of African American & Cultural History

George Zimmerman has spoken out for the first time since he shot and killed Trayvon Martin, starting a website to reach out to his supporters and raise money for his living expenses and legal defense.

On TheRealGeorgeZimmerman.com, Zimmerman writes that after his involvement in the “life altering event which led me to become the subject of intense media coverage,” he has been “forced to leave my home, my school, my employer, my family and ultimately, my entire life.”

“This website’s sole purpose is to ensure my supporters they are receiving my full attention without any intermediaries,” he wrote.

The website’s background is an American flag, and the homepage features the headline “The Real George Zimmerman” and a quote from Edmund Burke, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is that good men do nothing.”

Zimmerman has created a PayPal account to collect donations on the site “as I would like to provide an avenue to thank my supporters personally and ensure that any funds provided are used only for living expenses and legal defense, in lieu of my forced inability to maintain employment.”

“I am grateful to my friends that have come to my aid, whether publicly or personally, never questioning my integrity or actions, understanding that I cannot discuss the details of the event on February 26th, and allowing law enforcement to proceed with their investigation unhindered,” he wrote. “Once again, I thank you for your patience and I assure you, the facts will come to light.”

He also quoted James W. Loewen on the page, posting, “People have a right to their own opinions, but not to their own facts. Evidence must be located, not created, and opinions not backed by evidence cannot be given much weight.”

The site also links to a page on “My Race,” which features the Thomas Paine quote that “The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion,” a photo album showing two images of supportive signs and graffiti and a contact page.

A special prosecutor said Monday that a grand jury will not look into the case. Martin was killed on Feb. 26 and his family and supporters say the shooting was racially motivated, while Zimmerman claims self-defense.